Liverpool manager Arne Slot is gearing up to tackle the demanding schedule of the Premier League and Champions League, focusing on squad rotation to maintain performance across competitions. The Dutchman’s first test comes this Saturday as Liverpool hosts Nottingham Forest, marking the beginning of a grueling stretch of seven matches in 22 days, culminating in their Champions League opener against AC Milan on Tuesday.
Since taking over from Jurgen Klopp during the close-season, Slot has demonstrated a preference for stability, making only one change to his starting line-up in his first three games. This approach contributed to Liverpool’s successful start, with the team securing victories over Ipswich, Brentford, and Manchester United.
However, Slot’s previous experience at Feyenoord, where he favored a consistent lineup, will be challenged by the increased depth at Liverpool and the demanding schedule. “My former teams were able to play almost every game with the same players, but it is a different league here, so I might have to adjust,” Slot explained to reporters on Friday. He emphasized that player fitness and performance will influence his decisions on rotation.
“In the first three games, we were really strong physically with one game every seven days. Now, the players have a point to prove. I assume they all want to play every game, so if they want to, they need to show up every time in terms of quality and work-rate,” Slot added. He highlighted the advantage of having more than 11 quality players, which allows him to rotate his squad effectively.
Slot will have to adapt his rotation plans following a setback with Harvey Elliott, who recently suffered a fractured foot while on England Under-21 duty. “If he had stayed fit, he would have had a lot of playing time in the upcoming fixtures, but now it gives a chance to someone else,” Slot said. He acknowledged the impact of Elliott’s injury, noting it is a significant loss for both the player and the team.
In addition to Elliott’s absence, Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has expressed frustration with his role as Alisson Becker’s understudy. Kelleher hinted at a desire to leave Liverpool for a full-time number one position elsewhere. Liverpool recently signed Giorgi Mamardashvili from Georgia and loaned him back to Valencia until next year.
Slot sympathizes with Kelleher’s situation but remains firm on the current pecking order. “I would be really worried if a player said, ‘I don’t care about playing first-team football, I like it so much on the bench and want to stay there for the rest of my life.’ But at this moment, it is quite clear that Alisson is the number one. Kelleher is handling the situation really well,” Slot said.
As Liverpool embarks on this demanding period, Slot’s approach to squad rotation and his ability to manage player fitness will be crucial in maintaining their competitive edge across all fronts.
